Mental health during and after pregnancy

Breadcrumb

Perinatal mental health problems (that is, mental ill-health among women during pregnancy or after birth) affect about one in five mothers. Such difficulties can cause great distress to them and their families and may increase the risk of babies developing mental health difficulties later in life.

What needs to change?

There is clearly still much to be done to drive change in maternal mental health. We want to see fewer women struggling during the perinatal period, and more timely and effective support when it’s needed. Too many women are silenced by stigma or their health professionals don’t recognise that they need help. See our blog from Sadia who shares her story about struggling as a new mum, or the piece from our Chief Executive Sarah about experiencing postnatal depression.

“Mothers don’t want to say they’re not coping, [they] see it as a safeguarding issue and a failure on their part to say they’re not coping…”

“1 in 10 mums experience postnatal depression and there’s not enough awareness amongst mothers. So to discuss the importance of speaking to a GP or health visitor if you’re not doing ok, that problems do happen and you’re not alone, speak to someone…”

How could support be improved?

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) found that up to half of women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy and in the year after did not have their needs recognised by health professionals. The NCT commissioned us to explore the impact of extending the current 6-week check up for babies to include a consultation about the wellbeing of the mother. We found that resourcing GPs to offer a ten-minute appointment about the mother’s health could help to identify more women experiencing mental health difficulties after the birth of their child, and ensure that they receive timely, effective support.

“I tell mothers they’re not a failure, nothing prepares you for being a parent and it’s really hard. It’s incredibly common to go through these difficulties…”